It’s the most spooky time of the year: Halloween! Now we know it’s the big day today, but if you’re searching for a last minute costume, look no further: it’s the Eurovision Song Contest to the rescue.
Every year, there’s always at least one act on the big Eurovision stage with costumes that are either hilarious or horrific–often both at the same time. So, what better way to dress up this year than as one of your favorite Eurovision stars! ESC Chief Editor Matt and I dug through the thousands of Eurovision entries through the ages to find those entries who were ready for trick-or-treating as soon as they hit the stage.
Here are some of our favorites from contests past:
Latvia 2008 | Wolves of the Sea – Pirates of the Sea
Gerry: With a hi hi hoo and a hi hi hey, the Latvians went all out with the pirate stereotypes in 2008, complete with bandannas, rapiers and dancing disguised as fake fighting. If you were planning on getting a pirate costume this year anyway, you could probably make a checklist off of their performance. They even had a ship’s wheel onstage, but we still don’t know where they took us that night.
Or you could be a literal wolf of the sea. Half-fish, half-wolf. It’s the best of both worlds.
Yugoslavia 1990 | Hajde Du Ludujemo – Tajci
Matt: Tajci looked great in purple, now picture that dress being white and less tight with Carolas wind machine blowing from below and what do we have? The perfect Marilyn Monroe! So if you want to be the biggest sex symbol that has ever lived even if it’s just for one night, then this is your opportunity. While we believe this costume is more geared towards women, we do not want to discourage any of the guys to try this out, just make sure to send us pictures!
Montenegro 2013 | Igranka – Who See ft. Nina Zizic
Gerry: Montenegro isn’t exactly known for its spacemen, but when Dedduh and Noyz of Igranka stepped out of that fog in what looked like legit space suits, it was as if Eurovision turned into some sort of Star Trek. However, if that Sandra Bullock movie Gravity convinced you of the dangers of outer space, you might want to stick with Nina Zizic’s sexy… android…? Yeah, we think that’s what she was trying to be.
Luxembourg 1980 | Papa Pingouin – Sophie & Magaly
Matt: If you are an animal lover then this is the way to go. The twin sisters Sophie & Magaly brought along a giant penguin as their backup singer (and dancer) and you can get a full body penguin costume on eBay for only 20 bucks. By the way, penguins mate for life so tonight may not be the best time for a hookup.
Germany 1979 | Dschinghis Khan – Dschinghis Khan
Gerry: If you ever get the urge to dress up as this Mongolian conqueror, please choose the Eurovision version, shiny gold pants and all. We’re pretty sure a bare chest isn’t the best armor for a great general, but that little jacket thing gives great air resistance so you don’t end up twirling yourself into the sky with your amazing dance moves. If you have five friends, you could even be the whole set!
Austria 1977 | Boom Boom Boomerang – Schmetterlinge
Matt: This band came up with something rather unique, at first the singers are all wearing cream suits and red shirts but at some point they turn their back to the audience to reveal a costume that looks like tuxedo with a fake face. So the point here is, why settle for one costume when you can have two at the same time? The options are endless: How about Adam in the front and Eve on the back?
United Kingdom 2007 | Flying the Flag – Scooch
Matt: It’s impossible to have a discussion about Eurovision costumes and NOT mention Scooch, the most memorable Stewardesses (I mean Flight Attendants) ever. You can find those outfits at any costume store and make sure to quote the song lyrics at your Halloween party. We are certain that comments like “Would you like something to suck on for landing” or “Some salted/salty nuts?” are the perfect ice breakers.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 2008 | Pokusaj – Laka
Gerry: It’s as if Tim Burton exploded onto the stage in Belgrade that day, with fantastic costumes straight from some dystopian fantasy. Take your pick: creepy dude with your granddad’s gaudy coat, lady with a dress made from what I’m pretty sure is a tablecloth, or bride with facepaint. If you can’t find a costume inspiration from Laka’s performance, you’re not looking well enough.
San Marino 2012 | The Social Network Song (Oh Oh Uh Oh Oh) – Valentina Monetta
Matt: The performance was basically a big Halloween party in itself. Backup singers in random outfits….you can be a pilot, a doctor, a photographer, a guitar player with a golden jacket (WTF?!?), a cheerleader or a random Sammarinese citizen!
In addition, Valentina says you can also dress up as a sex machine or just some beauty queen. We can guarantee that you will play cybersex again and be more than just friends.
Gerry: Get your oh oh uh oh oh ready just in case.
Turkey 2012 | Love Me Back – Can Bonomo
Gerry: If, after 2008, you thought pirates would never come back to the Eurovision stage after Latvia’s “Wolves of the Sea,” you probably shook your head in shame when Can Bonomo brought out his team of caped… somethings. Just grab some black cloth for a cape, some eyeliner, and a tight vest, and some na-na-na-na-ni-na-ni-na and you’re ready! We’re not really sure what they were supposed to be, so if you take their costume idea and someone asks you what you are, don’t come running to us.
Also, when greeting kids at the door, simply say what Can said, in the creepiest voice possible: “Come to me, my children…”
Azerbaijan 2008 | Day After Day – Elnur & Samir
Matt: Hopefully Elnur and Samir’s costume inspired you and this year you’ll end up going as an angel… or a fallen angel. That’s right, the devil also once had beautiful wings which he traded in for a pitchfork which is a lot more useful anyway. It’s good vs. evil so it’s your choice to be nice or naughty this year!
Finland 2006 | Hard Rock Hallelujah – Lordi
Gerry: Nobody beats Lordi for the most Halloween-appropriate costumes. If you want to blow your entire budget for prosthetics and dress as a bunch of apocalyptic (or, rather, arockalyptic) monsters today, all you need is lightning and power and might, and poof! You’ve got yourself a costume, and a fancy Eurovision trophy to boot.
So there you have it! From the glamorous to the gory, Eurovision has seen it all. Think we missed some awesome Eurovision Halloween ideas? Let us know in the comments below, or in our General Forum.
Happy Halloween from all of us at ESC United!
This article was originally posted Oct 2013 but we felt it’s still awesome. Enjoy!
